"Our latest impact report shows that by shopping second-hand on Vinted instead of new our community avoided 678,691 tonnes of CO₂e emissions in 2023," a Vinted spokesperson told Bored Panda. "That's the equivalent of flying between London and LA 512,414 times. But of course there's much more you can do including how you pack your preloved items."

Vinted says they encourage their members to be sustainably in other areas of life as well, not just through second-hand shopping. "We love seeing members get creative with their packaging—just as long as it's safe and doesn't damage the items being sent," a spokespoerson for the company tells us. "Whether it's using cereal or pasta boxes, recycled shopping bags, or other eco-friendly packaging options, we welcome inventive choices that are good for the planet."

However, while Vinted champions creative packaging, they emphasize how important it is to keep items secure during transit. "When listing an item, choose the right package size, and to receive positive feedback from buyers, we recommend using clean, sturdy packaging materials," they shared a few guidelines with us. "Together, by taking these small steps, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future."

A thought might pop into your head while scrolling through this list: "How does the platform allow these ridiculous packages?" Well, Vinted doesn't explicitly say that you can't send some earrings in a plastic coke bottle. They do have some packaging rules, however.

According to their website, the most ideal form of packing an order is using a cardboard box. Not regular paper bags though – those can get wet pretty quickly and can damage the goods for the buyer. "The box should be in good condition to protect the item from dirt and moisture during transit," Vinted writes on their website. 

If the box or a bag is too big for the item, you need to fill in the empty space. Some people, like the ones on this list, choose to use 10-litre juice bags. To each their own, of course, but Vinted recommends using "bubble wrap, foam, paper, newspaper or corrugated material."

Generally, the company claims that the best option for a package is to use the one your nearest carrier provides. In some cases, it's also possible that a carrier may refuse to ship an item, as different carriers have different requirements.

Vinted is an online marketplace to sell or exchange second-hand items, founded in 2008 in Lithuania. It all started when the co-founder Milda Mitkutė was moving house and was looking for a way to sell her old clothes. Some of them were brand new, with the tags still on, so chucking them in the bin didn't make sense.

A few days later, she met developer Justas Janauskas at a houseparty and floated the idea of a website for an online marketplace by him at 2 a.m. He agreed to make a website, where Milda uploaded her clothes, invited some friends to do the same, and that was basically the official launch.

Now, it's a platform that operates throughout Europe and North America for people who are looking to earn some extra cash, authenticity, unique clothes, and consuming more sustainably. Milda is no longer so involved with Vinted, but remains a shareholder. The company's estimated value was last $3.8 billion.

Vinted, of course, has some competitors in the online second-hand market. Depop and Poshmark are perhaps the most similar. Depop, for example, strongly encourages their users to reuse packaging materials. The best option, according to them, is to save the packaging you receive from other sellers.

They do caution against using feeble packaging materials. "Sending an item out in a bag from the supermarket doesn't give your customer the best possible experience, and can lead to damage in transit," they write. If the material's original intent was commercial shipping, you can be sure it will withstand at least one more journey.

Poshmark, on the other hand, has a partnership with USPS. Their sellers can get free boxes and mailers which can even get shipped to the sellers' door. Depop, too, offers eco-friendly packaging: they have partnered with EcoEnclose, an eco-friendly packaging supply store. It's made from 100% recycled materials, is water-resistant, and can be padded, with tissue paper or Greenwrap (a paper alternative to bubble wrap). 

Most people try to save money when they're packaging second-hand items. Others, however, like to spruce it up a bit and make the order more personal. More established sellers may want to uphold their reputation, so they opt for sturdy boxes, tissue paper, and even surprises: some fun labels, a complimentary candy, or a sticker.

I, personally, have never had a crazy Vinted experience. I've received some complimentary chocolates, a thank-you card, and even an extra sweater when I ordered a cardigan. I guess the seller wanted to empty her closet faster, so, even if I didn't consent to the second sweater, I didn't complain.

What about you, Pandas? Do you have any crazy Vinted (or any other online marketplace) stories? Share them with us below!